Television

Monday, June 19, 2017

Should Bill Cosby be tried again?

Pennsylvania judge declared a mistrial Saturday in the case
against Bill Cosby after a jury was unable to come to a
unanimous decision, an inconclusive finale to one of the most high-profile
sexual assault cases in years.

Cosby was charged with three counts of aggravated indecent
assault in an incident involving former Temple University basketball staffer Andrea Constand at his home in suburban
Philadelphia in 2004.

Over the last 10 days, jurors heard the entertainer's
defense that the encounter was consensual, while Constand, taking the stand
and facing Cosby for the first time, testified that Cosby drugged her and
robbed her of the ability to consent.

The split of the jurors remains unknown. Jurors were not polled
on the reason for their deadlock or the split among them, and their names remain sealed.

Before dismissing the jurors, O’Neill encouraged them
not to speak to reporters about the details of their deliberations, which he
said could impact any retrial.

Had he been found guilty, Cosby, 79, would have faced a
maximum of 10 years in prison on each count.

Prosecutors said immediately they would retry the case, and
Judge Steve T. O’Neill said he would try to schedule a new trial within 120
days.

About Matt

An analysis of crime and punishment from the perspective of a former prosecutor and current criminal justice practitioner.
The views expressed on this blog are solely those of the author and do not reflect the opinions or postions of any county, state or federal agency.